Duplex ticket-punch



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

M. M. WELOH.

DUPLEX TICKET PUNCH.

No.- 322,662. Patented July 21, 1885.

N. PETERS PhowLimu n Mr. washin mn. D. c

(No Model.-) 2 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. M. M.- WE'LGH.

DUPLEX TIGKET PUNCH.

No. 322,662. Patented July 21, 1885.

N. Pam Pfialwlithcgraphqn Washington, 0. c.

UNHED TATES 'ATENT Grinch:

MARSHALL. M. WELGH, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

DUPLEX TICKET-PUNCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 322,662, dated July 21, 1885.

Application filed April 28, 1885. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, IVIARSHALL M. WELon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Atlanta, in the county of Fulton and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Duplex Ticket-Punches, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in that class of hand-punches used principally by railway ticket and baggage agents, but which may be made useful on any ticket or check where more than a single mark or character is required to indicate their nature.

. The system of railway coupon-tickets used by all the principal rail-waylines in the United States is such as to render it necessary for each ticket-seller to be furnished with different punches, each of which punches has a different character, such as are needed for limiting, canceling marginal dates and stations, and indicating the class or character of the ticket. Baggage agents are also supplied with two separate single punches, one with the characters B C, to be used in punching tickets on which he checks baggage, and one for canceling dates on excess-baggage slips.

' This last-named punch may be of any simple form, as it is only used for canceling purposes. In order to provide these railway employs with the means for putting the proper marks upon the various tickets and slips which pass through their hands, it is the custom of railway officials to supply each of them with a sui-ficient number of single punches, each punching a different character, to cover the needs of the position he occupies.

The object of this invention is to obviate the difficulties above named by combining in a single implement the devices needed to punch two separate and distinct characters, said devices being so arranged that either character may be used independently of the other at the will of the operator, thus producing what may be called a duplex ticket-punch, which will serve the purpose of two single punches at a cost not materially exceeding that of the average single punch now in use; the duplex punch being, therefore, not only economical in first cost, but also causing a great saving in time lost by the frequent changes called for in the use of the common punch, and in the fact that only one-half the ordinary number are to be taken care of.

The invention consists, essentially, in furnishing the head of the punch with two slots or openings for the reception of tickets, each of said slots being providedwith an independent punch, both punches, however, being operated alternately by a single lever, and in the other details of construction which will be hereinafter fully described, and then specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of the punch, showing the method of operating the same. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on the median line. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 00 x of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is adetail view of one of the springs and its supporting-plate. Fig. 6 is a top view of one side of the head, showing the designating character corresponding with that cut by the punch on the same side.

In constructing this punch I prefer to make the head A and handles 13 and B integral or from the same piece of metal. It may be forged or cast from steel, malleable iron, bronze, or any other suitable metal or alloy. The cheapest suitable material is the so-called malleable cast-iron. This possesses sufficient strength, and is capable of receiving a fine finish. The head A is provided with the two slots a or, outside of which are the fixed jaws b b, and occupying the middle portion between the slots are the two side plates, (1 d, between which is an open space that receives the punchlever O. This lever is pivoted at c and carries at the end of its long arm the male dies e 0.

cular head h of the hand or operating lever D,

that vibrates in a slotted or bifurcated extension, A, at the rear or inner end of the punchhead. This lever is pivoted at 4; to the plates d, its long arm extending backward between IOC the handles B and B, so as to be readily grasped I by the fingers of the operator in using the punch, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Upon the lever D are formed the seats r r, and a short distance to the rear of the fulcrum-pin t two spurs, j j, project from each side of the lever, which enter and help to hold in place the circular base-plates k is, that rest in the seats r r, and to which plates springs E are attached. Said plates being seated in the recesses r, serve to hold the spring in its proper position when the spur is withdrawn as the operating-lever is working in opposite directions, the opposite ends of the springs being held in recesses 01. a formed in the inner side of the'handles B and B.

The plates 70, to which the springs are attached, consist of a metallic washer having a 'central orifice, through which the spurs j pass.

It will be obvious, therefore, that the springs may be readily inserted by placing the plate k over one of the spurs and into a rest r upon the lever D, then compressing the spring, and allowing its free end to enter one of the recesses n of the handles. By this arrangement of springs the operating-lever will be held normally in a central position between the two handles, and the punch-lever, with which it is connected, will occupy the same relative position with relation to the jaws b b of the head, the male dies being wholly within the recess between the slots a a, leaving the latter free and unobstructed for theinsertion of a ticket. Through the ends of the jaws b b are formed orifices m, partly closed on theinner side next to the slots a a by the female die-plates o 0, each of which has an opening cut through it corresponding in form to that of the contiguous male die, and upon the outer side of the jaws b, where they may be readily seen, is placed a counterpart of this character, as shown atp in Fig. 6. It will be seen that the die ois pierced with an opening corresponding in shape'to the letter L. The designating-characterp has therefore the same shape, and is somewhat enlarged, so as to be readily seen. By this means the operator is always able to determine ata glance the character he is using in punching tickets. As a further guard against making mistakes, the handles'B and B" may be made of slightly different forms and that part of the operating-lever with which the fingers come in contact given slightly diffe'ring curves upon its opposite sides, so as to indicate at once by their contact with the hand the position of the dies.

I am aware that ticket-punches have been constructed that were capable of making two impressions of a different character; but all of these either made the two impressions simultaneously or were provided with an operatinglever for each punch, thus making them in effect two single punches.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, the following:

1. In a ticket-punch, the head A, provided with handles B B, forming an integral part of the same, said head being provided with fixed jaws in which are the female dies, in combination with a punch-lever provided with two male dies of different character, said dies adapted to coincide with the female dies, and a handlever located between the handles for operating 'said punch-lever, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

2. In a duplex ticket-punch, the combination of the head A, having extension A, handlesB B, forming an integral part of said head, and the operating-lever pivoted to said extension A and extending outwardly and vibrating between the handles, as set forth.

3. In a ticket-punch, the head A, provided with handles B B, forming an integral part of the same, in combination with the punch-lever O, carrying the male dies, and its operatinglever D, located between the handles, substantially as described.

4. In aticket-punch, the springs E, provided with an annular base-plate, 7c, in combination with the spurs upon the operating-lever and recesses in the handles, as set forth.

5. In a ticketpunch, the combination of the slotted head A, carrying female dies and having handles B B, the punch-leverO, carrying male dies, the operatinglever D,'pivoted in the head and having seats 1' r and spurs j j, and the springs E E, seated in recesses in the handles and adapted to engage said spurs, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MARSHALL M. W'ELCH.

WVitnesses:

J OHN OLAUGHLIN, T. H. DORSEY. 

